LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- One of suspects initially charged in a fatal shooting at the 2024 Harvest Homecoming festival has been sentenced.
Shermichael Smith was sentenced to nine years in prison on Thursday for his role in the shooting in downtown New Albany that killed 18-year-old Bryce Gerlach and injured two others.Â
Bryce Gerlach, 18, was shot and killed at Harvest Homecoming on Oct. 12, 2024.
Smith pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting in two of the shootings. The charge came with a five-year gun enhancement. A murder charge was dropped by Indiana prosecutors against Smith in July 2025.Â
Floyd County prosecutor Chris Lane said, "What he pled to was battery, but under an aiding theory — meaning he helped in the commission of the crime. In this case, he provided the vehicle that took others from Louisville to where that shooting happened."
Smith's defense attorney, William Perry McCall, argues his client never pulled the trigger and got caught up in the chaosÂ
"I think he basically got caught up in something that was beyond his control. And my point being is, if you're with a person that starts shooting, OK, you have no control over what that person's doing, but you're just as tied in, just as that person is, to some extent, according to the state," said McCall.
The shooting happened in the ride area in the middle of the packed fall festival the evening of Oct. 12, 2024. Gerlach, a Corydon Central High School senior, was killed, and two other people were injured. Police have said all three were innocent bystanders who weren't involved in an alleged argument that broke out between two groups of people, which police believe led to the shooting.Â
Lane said Smith is now the 12th person sentenced in connection with the fatal shooting.Â
"We're looking at over or approximately eight decades total have now been secured in these cases, and that's over approximately 12 cases," Lane said. "What I want the public to know is we hold these things dear. We want the public to know that they can go outside their door and feel safe."
One suspect in the case is still waiting to go to trial. Isaiah Page, of Simpsonville. He is the alleged shooter, charged with murder, attempted murder, voluntary manslaughter, aggravated battery, criminal recklessness, gang activity and a firearms charge. He is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 26, 2026.
Additional defendants
Smith's cousin, Joshua Smith, of Louisville, was sentenced in March to more than seven years in prison after agreeing to a plea deal in February. Joshua Smith originally faced 11 charges in connection to the shooting, including murder. However, he pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiracy to armed robbery. As part of his plea deal, Joshua Smith is required to testify in ongoing cases connected to the shooting. He will also have about two years of probation following his release.
Darius Tuff, of Louisville, was sentenced in April to 37 years in prison, made up of 16 years each for two aggravated battery charges, and an additional five years for use of a firearm in the crimes. Tuff was not accused of killing Gerlach. Lane recommended the 37-year sentence as part of Tuff's plea agreement after he pleaded guilty in February.
Officials said Joshua Smith, Tuff, and Shermichael Smith were all roommates.Â
Damarius Gardiner Person, 18, of Louisville, was sentenced to six years in prison in May after pleading guilty to multiple charges in connection with the shooting, including assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice. He was initially charged with murder, aggravated battery, assisting a criminal and obstruction of justice.
Previous Coverage:
Murder charge dropped against suspect charged in Harvest Homecoming shooting
18-year-old Louisville man sentenced in Harvest Homecoming fatal shooting
Harvest Homecoming to implement age limits, security upgrades following 2024 fatal shooting
Louisville man sentenced in fatal Harvest Homecoming shooting in New Albany
Several suspects in fatal Harvest Homecoming shooting avoid trial with plea deals
Louisville man pleads guilty in Harvest Homecoming fatal shooting
5th man charged in murder of southern Indiana teenager at Harvest Homecoming
3 Louisville men charged with murder in Harvest Homecoming shooting case
New Albany residents grateful after 2 people were detained in Harvest Homecoming shooting case
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